The Press., 1887-07-07

much to the joy of its friends, giving an address at the dedication of the renovated building, July 12, 1864 This address was published by vote of the trustees of the academy. After the reunion in 1888, in which much interest was awakened in the academy, $17, ,500 was raised by four be- nevolent individuals of Monson for the general fund of the academy. The sum- mer before the building was burned $700 was raised and expended by William N. Flynt in furnishing and adorning the rooms of the academy, so that they never looked more attractive. On this building, which we dedicate to-day to religion and sound learning, have beeu expended $30,- 204. This sum has been made up by $10, ,- $50 insurance money on the burned build ing, $11, ,354 contributed by 11Esubscribers in Monson, $1, TAI contributed by 80 sub- scribers in Springfield, and other subscrip- tions from New York, Brooklyn, Hartford, New London, Chicago, Palmer, and many other places, all with expressions of good will to the old academy, whose welfare they seek. It may be proper here to speak of the relation of the high school pupils to the academy, which has not been fully under stood, and has occasioned some criticism. The arrangement was made some years ago by which the academy was to instruct all the pupils in town who, could pass 0 satisfactory examination, the town paying the regular tuition, but having no voice in the management of the academy, except as the teachers were expected to listen to reasonable suggestions of the school com mittee in behalf of town pupils, which has generally been done. Tbis arrangement has been an economical one on the part of the town, the expense of $1, 200 or $1, 400 being less than half that of such high school as the town must supply, while the advantages afforded tho pupils are much superior to those of the ordinary high school. Judge Chapman, then one of the trustees, gave the opinion that the acade- my could not legally refuse to instruct the town pupils, simply because the town paid the tuition, instead of the parents. The connection need be continued only as 1t proves mutually advantageous, for the union is not like that of the Siamese twins such that it cannot be severed without the death of one or both parties. The town can maintain high school if that seems the best way, and 1t is hoped the academy could live and prosper without the high school pupils. It Is to be borne in mind, however, that one of the origina designs of the academy was to afford better opportunities for higher education to the youth of the place, and in some respects the presence of the town scholars as higE school pupils, is less embarrassing thar formerly, as tie academy does not receive any below the high school grade, and SC does not have to furnish instruction il lower grades as formerly. Those who at tend from the town, too, are much more regular and uniform in their attendance Ion oe4 olNI, the course and graduate. The number O different pupils from the town is about tho same as formerly, from 65 to 75 year From the catalogue of 1857, find tn, number of pupils from town 70, those from abroad 158. It is certainly desirablt that the pupils from abroad should be thu most numerous, or sufficiently numerous
 to dominate in the school, and give i character, as it has usually done, in tht history of the academy. Where the infiu ence of the town pupils dominates, thu standard of conduct or of study will hardl, be so high for the school in spite of thu best efforts of teachers, for, as a rule, the, care less for study, and more for an easy good time, and for amusement and recrea tion, than earnest young men from abroad who have high end in view, and who pay their own expenses. The atmosphere of { school where earnest youngEmen come tC make the most of themselves and prepare for college or business, is very differen from that of the mere local school, where the pupils expenses are all paid and tho scholars usually desire to study as little al possible and multiply holidays and amuse ments, so that the influence of the ole academy has always been highly advan tageous to all the local pupils of the school, supplying a better atmosphere than usually:pervades the mere high school Those who have from time to time beer here have always referred to the manly in fuence of the better class of pupils as in spring, elevating and beneficial to all the members of the institution. But what is the place of the academy in New England today? Has it any place of influence Should not Monson academy, as some have suggested, be merged. or lost in g high school for the town? We think not, and for good reasons.
 And, first, however numerous or useful the high school may be, there is still an important field for the academy. Many towns are too small to support high school, where you will still find, as form | TNTSTT" A